Detectives raided a southeast Bend residence Tuesday and found an active and sophisticated marijuana growing operation, then on Wednesday during a high-risk traffic stop, arrested the man and woman who reside in the home as they were returning from an out-of-state trip.

Detectives found 90 marijuana plants in a home in southeast Bend, Oregon - CODE photo

If the plants -- found in various stages of growth -- had grown to maturity, they would be worth about $144,000 in street value - CODE photo

25-year old Joseph Michael Anderson and Melinda Dawn Sweet, 28, both of 20241 Silver Sage Street in Bend, were taken into custody near milepost 20 on Highway 20 east of town, Bend Police Lt. John Gautney reported. The couple was returning from a trip to Idaho.

According to Gautney, an unnamed Bend Police detective received information about an alleged pot-grow at the Silver Sage Street address, and contacted the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team for assistance.

A search warrant was obtained, and on February 19 about 9:45 p.m., police officers and members of the Deschutes County Street Crimes Unit (SCU) and CODE executed the warrant.

Two of the home’s bedrooms were converted to actively grow pot, and detectives seized 90 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, plus over 400 grams of processed pot and packaging materials, the lieutenant said.

Gautney estimated that the plants, had they all grown to maturity, would conservatively produce 45 pounds of marijuana with a street value of about $144,000.

Detectives, after learning that Anderson and Sweet were in Idaho and planning to return to Bend Wednesday morning, notified other law enforcement agencies in the area to be on the look-out.

An Oregon State Police Patrol Sergeant observed the suspects’ vehicle on Highway 20, and at 11:15 a.m., February 20, Anderson and Sweet were taken into custody without incident, Lt. Gautney said.

Both suspects were lodged in the Deschutes County Jail and are charged with possession, manufacture, and delivery of marijuana; plus frequenting a place where controlled substances are kept or sold.